EU to impose sanction on Thai military government

Foreign ministers of the 28 European Union (EU) member countries have
criticised the Thai army for staging a coup one month ago and agreed to
impose sanction measures on the military government of the Southeast
Asian country.

According to a statement released
following their meeting in Luxembourg on June 23, they decided to
suspend all official visits to and from the country as well as the
signing of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Bangkok .

Expressing "extreme concern" at developments, the
ministers called on the military leadership to “restore, as a matter of
urgency, the legitimate democratic process and the Constitution, through
credible and inclusive elections.”

“Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms must be upheld,” said the statement.

The bloc also decided that the EU will keep its relations with
Thailand under review and will consider “further possible measures,”
depending on circumstances.

“Only an early and
credible roadmap for a return to constitutional rule and the holding of
credible and inclusive elections will allow the EU's continued support,”
the statement concluded.

Earlier, the US and its European allies also expressed concern at political developments in Thailand .

Washington has also cancelled a series of cooperation programmes
with the country, including a training programmee for Thai Royal Police
and defence exchanges between the two countries.

Meanwhile, a poll announced on June 22 showed that most of Thai people support the Thai military government.

The “Suan Dusit Poll” conducted from June 17-21 stated that 8.82 out
of 10 interviewed people support the management of the Thailand’s
National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) over the last one month.

At the same time, 72.79 percent of the 1,614 people involving in the
poll nationwide said peace has been restored and disputes were settled
since the NCPO held power.-VNA